Article December 6, 1924 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from Dorothy Dix, Harry S. Longley

[From the Mercury, Norwich, England, July 19, 1924]

"To know all is to pardon all," might well have been the text of a striking address delivered recently by Mr. Arnold Rowntree at the opening of the new Adult School established in Philadelphia Lane by the Society of Friends. Philadelphia, a compound of two Greek words, means love of the brotherhood; and Mr. Rowntree, in an eloquent speech, placed for wider national and international brotherhood, based upon study, restraint, and appreciation of the point of view of the others. ... The ... League of Nations ... could only succeed if it was backed up by an enlightened democracy of men and women ready and willing to make themselves acquainted with national and international matters, and to bring into them a new spirit. As Lord Bryce had said, the League would fail unless they could breathe into the democracies represented in it a new life and new spirit. It was for all to spend the necessary time and study in understanding national and international affairs. He had no doubt changes were to come into the industrial structure of the country, but he was perfectly sure that no mere alteration in the structure would bring about what they wanted. He knew perfectly well the democratic demand for a larger share of control in industry. He welcomed the larger share of control, but knew perfectly well we should be disappointed unless it were controlled by men and women of knowledge who had studied and understood the question at issue in a new and enlightened spirit. What was needed more in industry than anything else was that spirit of study and understanding, and the ability to understand the point of view of the other person. ... From all sides we get glimpses of divine truth by experiences of the lives of other. Democracy would fail if it thought that merely by extending the franchise it would secure what it desired. The vote should be regarded as a sacred trust, and should be informedly cast. Democracy would never be safe unless people were fit to govern.

As one looked at national life to-day one saw people, at both ends of the scale, using time and leisure without considering their responsibility or whether they were using their leisure to the necessary enlightenment. Such groups as their Adult Schools spread fellowship and the enlightening of education,—the drawing out of truth and enlightenment. What he was anxious for was that they should ask themselves, "Are we approaching the problems of to-day in the spirit of to-day?" He wished he could start an employers' educational organization. Young employers and young workers should study together and strive to understand each other and mutually to understand social and economic problems. All classes of the community must study together if we were to get anything like industrial peace in future. Buildings were not everything. As Jowett, the then master of Balliol, said: "The idea created the institution and the institution killed the idea." That was the danger in the church. An institution was less than that for which it stood. The important thing was fellowship, the sense that they were taking part in a great search and a great adventure. Let their inspiration be that of the open window and the open door.

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